“Remote Interactive Gambling comes to New Zealand ”

A partnership between U.S. based software company Gtech and New Zealand Lotteries is about to bring the latest in remote interactive gambling (RIG) technology to New Zealand. With 1450 lottery terminals to be updated in the project’s first stages along with the implementation of a new range of products, New Zealand lotteries spokesperson Helen Morgan-Banda says gambling fans could be playing interactive games from work or home in less than a year.

New Zealand Lotteries currently runs its terminals over the Telecom New Zealand DDS network. By partnering with Gtech, New Zealand Lotteries will roll out their own IP system supporting web interfaces for all terminals. A new product line is also to be introduced, with a further number of terminals updated as the project grows.

The relationship between Gtech and New Zealand Lotteries is a long-standing one. Gtech already provides the equipment currently in place for New Zealand Lotteries. However the new nine-year contract – including the implementation of IP systems, new gaming software and technical support – is worth approximately 40 million dollars.

While in other countries remote internet gambling is usually offered over the internet as well as through private networks, there are no firm plans as yet to introduce internet-based gambling in New Zealand. The Gambling Act though makes this a strong possibility for the future. “We have the legal right to offer interactive gaming, under the Gambling Act,” confirmed Morgan-Banda.